What early election results show us in maps and charts

Reform UK emerged as the standout winner in early local election results across England, gaining hundreds of council seats and taking control of Newcastle-under-Lyme from the Conservatives. The party’s advances in Hartlepool resulted in Labour losing its majority there, leaving both parties with equal representation. Labour also lost overall control of seven councils, including Southampton and Wandsworth, and saw significant seat losses in areas such as Wigan, Chorley, Halton, and Salford. Meanwhile, the Conservatives lost dozens of seats and control of one council, and the Liberal Democrats gained control of two councils—Stockport and Portsmouth—while losing their narrow majority in Hull. The Green Party also made modest gains, picking up more than 20 seats, notably at the expense of Labour in Exeter, where Reform UK also made inroads. Labour retained control in some councils despite losses, as only a portion of seats were contested. For example, in Wigan, Labour lost all 22 seats it defended to Reform UK but maintained overall control due to the staggered election cycle. The results reflect a shifting political landscape, with Reform UK capitalizing on its broader presence compared to previous years when it contested fewer areas. These elections involved over 5,000 councillors across 136 councils, including district, metropolitan, unitary, and county councils, as well as all London boroughs. Labour was defending the largest number of seats, followed by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens. Most seats were last contested in 2022, a period when Reform UK had limited participation, positioning the party to make significant gains this cycle. Counting continues across 90 areas with thousands of seats still to be declared, alongside votes for the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments and several mayoral contests in London and Watford, which could further influence the political balance.